Problem solvers get award

A retired Medford cardiologist who now promotes family conversations about end-of-life care has been honored for his work.

A retired Medford cardiologist who now promotes family conversations about end-of-life care has been honored for his work.

Dr. John Forsyth is one of two Southern Oregonians honored in the "I Am Oregon" campaign, a Meyer Memorial Trust program recognizing problem-solvers across the state.

Forsyth was nominated for his devotion to patient care as a cardiologist, his program development to provide volunteer doctors and specialists at safety net health clinics, and his leadership since retirement in the Jefferson Regional Health Alliance. He also works to promote critical conversations about end of life care among families through the organization Choosing Options, Honoring Options (COHO).

The other Southern Oregonian honored is Sean Bowden, a Roseburg teen who volunteers at Mercy Medical Center, rasing money for the hospital's day camp, and helped create Roseburg High School's drug prevention team.

Eleven honored volunteers, including Forsyth and Bowden, got a $100 gift card and rain jacket from Columbia Sportswear and a trip to the Conference on Volunteering and Service in Washington, D.C., this June, promoters said.

The "I Am Oregon" program was launched by Meyer Memorial Trust to kick off Oregon Unlimited, a new online network tool designed to help Oregonians share ideas and resources and connect to take action for the public good.